IMO, no. If you want some supplemental nitrigen, then alfalfa will do. Otherwise, Rose-tone is all that my Mom uses, and her roses are swell.

I use Holly Tone on the Rhodies & Azaleas for the added acidity, but its my understanding that the "Tones" are not 100% Organic & that's my priority. I have been using Fish Emulsion & Seaweed (Neptune's Harvest is a good one) that's totally organic, and compost & the roses (mostly DA's) are very happy. The older ones (2+ years) are covered in buds, and a few are blooming already. Teasing Georgia & Huntington Rose have probably over 100 buds. Crazy happy! A great thing about Fish Fert too is you don't really have to remember the last time you used it ... you can't really overdo it, as the label says "bi-weekly." I use it on other plants/shrubs since its all-purpose which make its easy as well.

^ The new-formula Tones are fully organic.

Rose Tone is a wonderful fertilizer, but it is not the only brand I use. I think it is good to vary things a little.

Mills Magic Mix is excellent, as is a product that is very similar called Purely Organic. Purely Organic is less expensive. I also use Mills slow release rose food in the summer months in conjunction with the others. It covers me for the time frame that I won't go outside and fertilize in the heat and humidity.

Sandy

Plants don't "eat" fertilizers of course.
They utilize the nutrients in organics only after they have been broken down into inorganic form and made available through an aqueous carrier.
It may make the rose grower feel better to apply an organic but the rose will never know the difference.

True. But, the soil will know the difference by the increase in the amount of organic material thanks to the microherd that does the breaking down.

Plus, alfalfa has a high amount of a growth stimulant.

I find that by feeding the soil, my roses are much, much healthier, and enables me to not have to use toxic sprays to keep them healthy. I have some hybrid teas that I never spray, and they look wonderful for most of the year.

Sandy

I don't think there is any organic fertilizer better than the "Tones", unless you make your own after getting a soil test.

The only thing I supplement with is a foliar feed of Neptune's Fish Oil and Seaweed.

This year I fertilized everything, except azaleas, with Plant Tone and alfalfa meal. (Azaleas got Holly Tone.) Then supplement with fish oil and seaweed about 6 weeks later. I'll probably do another fish oil and seaweed later in the summer.

I go this way because I can feed all plants with the same thing. Simplifies matters.

Barbara

PS: Someone posted a mix of cottenseed, soy and alfalfa meal plus bone meal and blood meal. Maybe something else that they use for fertilizer. I would love to see that recipe again.

I pretty much use Rose-Tone, Dr. Earth Rose Food, and Mills Magic Mix interchangeably. I mix in some additional alalfa pellets no matter which I'm using. I store my rose fertilizer in a 5 gal bucket. I then add the alfalfa pellets and then scoop it out onto the roses. When my bucket starts getting low, I go out and pick up some more RoseTone, Dr. Earth, or Mills. I usually go with whatever I can get cheapest at the time. I haven't noticed any differences switching between these fertilizers.

I use Mills Magic Mix with very good results. I was wondering if there is something I can apply between regular feedings (once in 6 weeks) that will add boost. They have the Mills EasyFeed, rated at 20-10-6. Anyone's using it? I also noticed the "Rose Wizard UltraBoost" and Jack's Classic. Any opinions on those?

Anyone ever try FoxFarm Organic Rose Fertilizer from Planet Natural? I bought some this year, but have yet to use because my roses are just planted in amended soil and I don't want to over fertilize. How does it work, work well?

mike I typically use my diluted(by half) Miracle Gro Rose food for shoot bursts of feeding in between. I suppose any easy feed/liquid fertilizer would work just as well.

I used the Peter Beale's Rose ferts (Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Night Roses) last year, and saw an amazing difference in my one established rose, and had gorgeous new roses. I would have done it again this year if time and money hadn't gone by the wayside.

I'm so glad you posted your experience with the Peter Beale's fertilizer program. I've been thinking of giving it a try next year.

Sandy

I am a little concerned with MG for roses. It is a quick release, concentrated formula..I have their sprayer and don't know how to apply it to the roots without spraying the flowers, leaves and canes.

I use Jackson & Perkins Dynamite (previously Garden Ease and Once) the first week of the season, around February or March in southern California. I love it. It gets the roses off to a very healthy start, being high in nitrogen but with everything else also added, and theoretically it lasts for a whole season. However, I also supplement with Miracle Gro and Alaska Fish Emulsion as foliar sprays, as well as Rose Tone and composted steer manure from Home Depot. Also, I use Bandini Rose Food and Vigoro to toss around the rose bushes periodically. The roses seem to grow very well. Food and water keeps the roses happy.